Then Thomas, who is called the Twin, said to his fellow disciples, “Let us also go that we may die with Him.” John 11:16
Jesus had recently been in Jerusalem and His words had caused such a stir that the Jews sought to stone Him (John 10:31,39) Now He was speaking to His disciples of going back to Bethany which was very near Jerusalem. His disciples were concerned because of the danger of going back there. The fear that filled them even caused them to ignore the need of one dear to their group – Lazarus, who was very sick. But Jesus had heard from the Father and knew there was a work to be done in Bethany. As the disciples continued to argue with Him, He told them plainly that Lazarus was dead and then added, “let us go to him.”
Thomas, who is always known primarily as the doubter, has lost credibility with most of us and his words in verse 16, “let us also go that we may die with Him”, have been labeled as pessimism. But not only has Jesus recently been in danger at the hands of violent men, he has also just said that they are going to Lazarus – a man that is in the grave. What other conclusion could Thomas, or any of them, have come to. They must have all felt that their very lives were in danger if they continued on with Jesus. And it is Thomas that encouraged the group to look the consequences square in the eye and to move forward with Jesus anyway. This is the level of commitment that a disciple is called to – to follow Jesus wherever He leads. Even if it is to death. And it is Thomas who reminded them of this.
Can we remind ourselves of this today? Here in comfortable American Christianity, can we remind ourselves that Jesus still expects disciples unto death? The death of martyrdom seems unlikely here, for the moment anyway, but does He not require of us a death to all the allurements and distractions of this world? Does He not expect from us a detachment from the amusements and entertainments that the lost chase after? If we were called upon to lay our lives down as martyrs, how could we ever do it if we have not first learned to lay down the remote control in favor of the prayer closet?
He is my Delight 
A good post. There is a Klingon saying “Today is a good day to die!” But Paul had already said as much in Gal 2:20 and lived his death every day. Oh to be more like Paul.
Your last question is more like to have people thinking you are meddling instead of preaching.
Steven, thanks for stopping by.
Klingons and theology? I never would have thought the two would mix. I suppose there is a first for everything!
As far as the last question, I guess I consider myself neither preaching nor meddling, just making observations based on what I read in the word and what I see in life. However, if the Holy Spirit wants to use that question to meddle with anyone……. 🙂
God bless you Steven.